The Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness, and Horizon Therapeutics are partnering to provide grants for low vision aids to Illinois patients in need.

“Unfortunately, low vision equipment, which can be very expensive, is not covered by health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid,” said Elyse Fineman, executive director at ISPB. “Thanks to the generous support of Horizon, we can now expand our program to provide these tools to those in need.”

CHICAGO (PRWEB)
February 21, 2023

As part of February’s Low Vision Awareness Month, nonprofit organization Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness (ISPB) is partnering with Horizon Therapeutics, a global biotechnology company focused on rare, autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases, to provide much-needed low vision equipment to the underserved in Illinois as part of the ISPB Low Vision Equipment Reimbursement Program. The program provides reimbursement for low vision aids, scleral lenses, and eyeglasses, to those who cannot otherwise afford them. Horizon is supporting the program with a donation of $50,000.

Low Vision is defined as vision loss that cannot be corrected by medical or surgical treatments, or conventional eyeglasses, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS) estimates that there are more 243,000 Illinois residents experiencing vision loss.

Since its inception, the ISPB Low Vision Equipment Reimbursement Program has provided thousands of patients with no-cost low vision aids and glasses. These tools help children succeed in the classroom, adults to continue to work, and seniors to remain independent.

Since 1916, ISPB has developed relationships with community partners, many of whom treat underserved communities, to identify low-income patients. These partners find the most effective low vision equipment and ensure that it fits the needs of the patient before applying for the ISPB reimbursement program. Current ISPB partners include Lurie Children’s Hospital, The Rosenbloom Center at the Illinois Eye Institute, The Center for Sight and Hearing, and The Chicago Lighthouse.

“Unfortunately, low vision equipment, which can be very expensive, is not covered by health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid,” said Elyse Fineman, executive director at ISPB. “Thanks to the generous support of Horizon, we can now expand our program to provide these tools to those in need.”

“Through our work with the Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) community, we’ve seen the important role that accessibility tools and adaptive technology can play for those living with low vision,” said Matt Flesch, vice president, communications and patient advocacy, Horizon Therapeutics. “However, those tools and resources can be incredibly cost prohibitive. These grants will help remove some of those financial barriers and help people who are blind or living with low vision access necessary equipment to live more independent lives.”

Horizon also recently supported the launch of the newly redesigned Prevent Blindness resource, “Living Well With Low Vision.” The site, designed for patients, care partners and professionals, offers a wide variety of resources including patient guides, a low vision news feed, database of Low Vision Resource Directories, and much more.

For more information on the ISPB Low Vision Equipment Reimbursement Program, please visit https://eyehealthillinois.org/financial-support-for-visual-aids/. (Patients should contact partnering clinics directly for an appointment.) To visit the Living Well With Low Vision resource, go to LowVision.PreventBlindness.org.

About The Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness (ISPB)

ISPB was founded in 1916 to reduce preventable causes of blindness. ISPB has a rich history of promoting vision and eye health in the state of Illinois and was instrumental in advocating for passage of several sight-saving bills before the Illinois legislature. Dedicated to the care, protection, and preservation of sight, ISPB programs today continue to stress education and safety; access to care for glasses and low vision equipment; and research grant opportunities. We also provide speakers and screening booths at health fairs and other events. The work of the ISPB is supported by the generosity of individuals, businesses, organizations, corporations, and foundations. Contributions, remembrances, wills, bequests, and grants make our important work possible. For more information, visit us at EyeHealthIllinois.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Prevent Blindness

Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, visit us at PreventBlindness.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About Horizon

Horizon is a global biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of medicines that address critical needs for people impacted by rare, autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases. Our pipeline is purposeful: We apply scientific expertise and courage to bring clinically meaningful therapies to patients. We believe science and compassion must work together to transform lives. For more information on how we go to incredible lengths to impact lives, visit http://www.horizontherapeutics.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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“Entrepreneur Of The Year” Recipient To Receive $10,000 Prize; Nominations Close March 1

We’re thrilled by the excitement preceding the EDDIE Awards and encourage all entrepreneurs with disabilities to apply for this important recognition -Aarti Sahgal, CEO and founder of Synergies Work

ATLANTA (PRWEB)
February 07, 2023

Synergies Work, an Atlanta nonprofit that supports entrepreneurs with disabilities, today announced that CareSource, a mission-driven Medicaid plan serving more than 500,000 Georgians, has signed on as the headline sponsor of the inaugural EDDIE Awards, created to recognize and celebrate innovative business owners with disabilities from across the country. The first-ever awards event will be held April 27 in Atlanta, with nominations closing March 1.

Additional sponsors currently include The Coca-Cola Foundation, Georgia Advocacy Office, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, and National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. For sponsorship information, go here.

Nominations in the following categories are being accepted now through March 1:

• 
  Creativity Award — an entrepreneur making an impact on the world through any form of creative media such as art, music, fashion, film, and writing.
• Newcomer Award — an entrepreneur who has launched their business within the last 12 months and is providing an innovative solution in their industry.
• Social Impact Award — a leader on a mission to change their community and the larger world. Their business works to solve inequalities and address systemic problems.
• Techpreneur Award — an entrepreneur who is using technology to innovate, change, and expand the realm of possibility for their industry.

To read the full application requirements and to be nominated for an EDDIE Award, go here.

Additionally, Synergies Work will select from the category finalists an Entrepreneur of the Year who will receive a $10,000 prize to further their business aspirations. All finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the EDDIE Awards to take part in the evening’s celebration.

“We’re thrilled by the excitement preceding the EDDIE Awards and encourage all entrepreneurs with disabilities to apply for this important recognition,” said Aarti Sahgal, CEO and founder of Synergies Work. “Since 2016, our organization has been working to bridge the economic, opportunity, and network gaps between the disability and business community. The EDDIE Awards are a celebration of our most innovative entrepreneurs and our attempt at challenging the negative stereotypes and ableist viewpoints that are prevalent.”

“We are honored to be the headline sponsor for the inaugural EDDIE Awards,” said Jason Bearden, CareSource Georgia Market President. “The awards are the first in the United States to spotlight entrepreneurs within the disability community who are not only making an economic impact, but who are living their lives to the fullest using their skills and talents.”

To date, Synergies Work has supported over 200 entrepreneurs and helped launch over 70 new startups. The nonprofit is committed to the goal of supporting one million new entrepreneurs with disabilities by 2027.

A video that tells the Synergies Work story can be viewed here.

Become a Founding Sponsor of the EDDIE Awards Corporations and organizations have the opportunity to be a founding sponsor of the EDDIE Awards, helping to shine a spotlight on deserving and talented entrepreneurs with disabilities. Sponsorships are available at multiple levels, with each offering a range of benefits.

To learn more about founding sponsorship opportunities, go here.

About Synergies Work

Founded in 2016, Synergies Work is the largest business incubator and accelerator for entrepreneurs with disabilities in the United States. The organization serves entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey—from ideation to exit. With the goal of building one world where people with disabilities belong, Synergies Work helps entrepreneurs with disabilities launch, grow, and maintain sustainable small businesses. Its approach is based on a fundamental belief that all individuals have boundless talent, an inherent curiosity to explore, and a passion to succeed. Synergies Work has received the Dave Hammis Innovation Award from the APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First) and received second place and Audience Favorite grants from Truist Foundation’s Inspire Awards. The nonprofit is also part of the Moonshot Initiative in partnership with SmartJob and Enable Ventures which was announced at the Clinton Global Initiative. For more information on Synergies Work, visit http://www.synergieswork.org

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Idaho Talent Fest issues open call for auditions!

Volunteer leaders of the Idaho Chapter of the FSHD Society spearheaded a creative way to engage Idaho residents in their goal to fund crucial research to treat fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Auditions will be accepted via online submission, through March 1st at IdahoTalentFest.org.

BOISE, Idaho (PRWEB)
February 02, 2023

In 2021, volunteer leaders of the Idaho Chapter of the FSHD Society spearheaded a creative way to engage Idaho residents in their goal to fund crucial research to treat fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSH muscular dystrophy or FSHD), a rare disease that directly impacts their family when they launched the Idaho Talent Fest.

This 3rd annual talent competition is open to all interested performers. Auditions will be accepted via online submission, through March 1st at IdahoTalentFest.org. After the submission deadline, auditions will be screened, and the contestants will be presented online for the public to vote to determine the finalists. Online voting will be open March 3 through 17, with the final slate of finalists announced on March 20th, 2023. (Contestants must be 12 years of age or older to participate.)

The live event will spotlight and celebrate many talented area residents while raising funds and awareness for those suffering from FSH Muscular Dystrophy. Finalists will perform in front of judges and a live audience on Saturday, April 29th at the Boise State University Special Events Center. Awards of $1,000, $500, and $250 will be given to our first, second, and third place winners, respectively. In addition, there will be first, second, and third place People’s Choice Awards determined by votes from the audience (live and via livestream).

The Idaho Chapter of the FSHD Society is run entirely by dedicated volunteers. Many community businesses are supporting the effort and making it possible; the event is being presented by Aesthetic Eye, PC, the evening will be hosted by radio duo, Rick and Carly from 96.1 Bob FM, and it will be streamed online by Argos Productions.

The FSHD Society is the world’s largest research-focused patient organization for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), one of the most prevalent forms of muscular dystrophy. Over the past 30+ years, the organization has catalyzed major advancements and worked to accelerate the development of treatments and a cure to end the pain, disability, and suffering endured by one million people worldwide who live with FSHD. “As long as we are here, no patient need ever face this disease alone.”

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For more information about this event, the audition process, or FSHD, please contact Minette Hale at 208.608.2418 or IdahoChapter@FSHDSociety.org

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As partners, CPARF and the CP Research Network will continue to work toward a crucial element of their missions: enhancing everyday life for people with cerebral palsy.

NEW YORK (PRWEB)
February 01, 2023

Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation (CPARF) and the Cerebral Palsy Research Network have formally partnered to advance science to transform the lives of people with cerebral palsy.

As the world’s most common lifelong physical disability — and one of the most underfunded — cerebral palsy affects approximately one million people in the US. CPARF works to close critical gaps by amplifying cerebral palsy’s position in the research, technology, and care landscapes, chiefly within the US. The CP Research Network advances similar aims as the largest and most comprehensive network of hospitals and community members working together to improve health outcomes for people with cerebral palsy.

The partnership between CPARF and the CP Research Network will benefit all people with cerebral palsy, parents, caregivers, and medical professionals by ensuring that proven science makes its way into practice throughout the country sooner.

“This represents an exciting step forward for the entire cerebral palsy community,” said Paul Gross, the CP Research Network’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We will be able to implement change more quickly and on a larger scale by investing more in our research infrastructure and expanding funding for the CP Research Network’s projects under development, allowing us to find the answers that people with cerebral palsy and their families seek.”

CPARF and the CP Research Network remain jointly dedicated to improving quality of life for people with cerebral palsy. “Individuals need and deserve to fully participate in society. Science, innovation, and implementation all play key roles in that,” shared Michael Pearlmutter, CPARF’s Executive Director. “Alongside our research, CPARF operates Remarkable US, a disability tech startup accelerator to advance cutting-edge technology to help people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Through this partnership, these startups will have access to esteemed institutions at the forefront of the disability space, facilitating crucial feedback and testing by people with lived experience, as well as clinical trials that will help get these products to market.”

As partners, CPARF and the CP Research Network will continue to work toward a crucial element of their missions: enhancing everyday life for people with cerebral palsy.

Researchers and community members can join leaders of both organizations to learn more about the partnership for a webinar on Monday, February 13, 2023, at 6:00 pm ET. The webinar will also be recorded for later viewing. Registration is open at this link: https://bit.ly/CPResearchPartnershipWebinar

About Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation

Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation funds US-based research to change what’s possible for people with cerebral palsy, implements proven science, and advances innovation to benefit all people with disabilities. Learn more at http://www.cparf.org or contact info@cparf.org.

About the Cerebral Palsy Research Network

The Cerebral Palsy Research Network aims to optimize the lifelong health and wellness of people with cerebral palsy and their families through high-quality research, education, and community programming. Learn more at http://www.cprn.org or contact info@cprn.org.

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Among programs planned for 2023, the organization will host its inaugural EDDIE Awards on April 27 that will celebrate the achievements of entrepreneurs with disabilities from across the nation.

We anticipate that 2023 will be a banner year for us in helping even more aspiring entrepreneurs with disabilities to live to their fullest potential

ATLANTA (PRWEB)
January 18, 2023

Synergies Work, an Atlanta nonprofit that supports entrepreneurs with disabilities, today recapped major milestones it achieved in 2022. The nonprofit continues to work alongside its sponsoring organizations and supporters to bridge the opportunity gaps between the disability and business communities. Among its most notable achievements last year, Synergies Work:

• 
  Launched the Synergies Learning Hub, an online platform that provides resources, grants, and a community for aspiring entrepreneurs with disabilities
• Participated in the Moonshot Initiative along with nine other international incubators and accelerators invited to the Clinton Global Initiative to announce a commitment toward entrepreneurship in the disability space
• Received 2nd Place and Audience Favorite recognitions at the Truist Foundation’s Inspire Awards
• Presented at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) annual conference and listed as a resource on the SBA Digital Alliance
• Formed key partnerships with ZenBusiness and National Federation of the Blind/SmartJob/Enable Ventures

“We’re very proud of our accomplishments last year—as well as the accomplishments of our many innovative program participants—but our work is just beginning and we need to keep moving forward,” said Synergies Work Founder and CEO Aarti Sahgal. “We anticipate that 2023 will be a banner year for us in helping even more aspiring entrepreneurs with disabilities to live to their fullest potential.”

Among programs planned for 2023, Synergies Work will launch its Synergies Market, a central online marketplace for disabled entrepreneurs to be discovered, earn sales, and scale their businesses, and will also host its inaugural EDDIE Awards on April 27 that will celebrate the achievements of entrepreneurs with disabilities from across the nation. The nonprofit also continues to unite business partners, changemakers, entrepreneurial teams, software developers, and other professionals who are committed to building a truly inclusive ecosystem—what the organization refers to as a “grassroots movement in venture creation.”

To date, Synergies Work programs have supported over 200 entrepreneurs and helped to launch over 70 new startups. The organization has committed to supporting 1 million new entrepreneurs with disabilities by 2027.

“It’s an ambitious goal, but one that absolutely requires fulfillment,” added Sahgal. “We’re excited for the future and remain deeply grateful for the support and commitment of our sponsors, advocates, and partners in the business community—without them, our work would not be possible.”

At current time, there are 61 million U.S. adults who have a disability. Additionally, people with disabilities account for over half of those living in long-term poverty.

This short video provides a look into the Synergies Work story and mission.

About Synergies Work

Founded in 2016, Synergies Work is the largest business incubator and accelerator for entrepreneurs with disabilities in the United States. The organization serves entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey—from ideation to exit. With the goal of building one world where people with disabilities belong, Synergies Work helps entrepreneurs with disabilities launch, grow, and maintain sustainable small businesses. Its approach is based on a fundamental belief that all individuals have boundless talent, an inherent curiosity to explore, and a passion to succeed. Synergies Work has received the Dave Hammis Innovation Award from the APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First) and received 2nd Place and Audience Favorite grants from Truist Foundation’s Inspire Awards. The nonprofit is also part of the Moonshot Initiative in partnership with SmartJob and Enable Ventures which was announced at the Clinton Global Initiative. For more information on Synergies Work, visit http://www.synergieswork.org or contact the organization at synergies@synergieswork.org.

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